Tertre Saint-Nicolas, Medieval stairs in Chartres, France.
The Tertre Saint-Nicolas is a steep stone stairway in Chartres with about 155 steps that links two different elevations of the town. It creates a direct passage between the lower and upper sections and provides access to the gardens of the Episcopal Palace.
The stairs were built in 1815 and replaced an earlier path that connected the river port with the upper town. This new route made it possible to transport goods and water more efficiently between the two sections.
The steps bear the name of Saint Nicolas, patron saint of seafarers, reflecting the trading heritage of this inland town. The name choice shows how maritime connections influenced the identity of places far from the coast.
The climb requires some effort, so wearing comfortable shoes is wise and caution is needed when wet since the stones can be slippery. The ascent is worth it to save time and experience different views of the town.
An athlete from Levois set an endurance record here by running up and down the steps 423 times while gaining roughly 8000 meters of elevation. This extreme sports challenge shows how the local community sometimes uses the place as a physical test.
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